Concealed carry device for firearms

ABSTRACT

A device for carrying a handgun in a concealed manner includes a stabilizer key capable of being secured to and/or carried on the handgun. A clip is capable of being secured to apparel of a user. The clip includes a receiver for releasably engaging the stabilizer key, and allowing the stabilizer key to slide into and out of the receiver of the clip for insertion and withdrawal of the handgun.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/130,078, filed on Mar. 9, 2015 (pending), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is specifically intended for civilians, off duty police, plain clothes police, detectives, and anyone else who wants to carry a concealed subcompact, compact, or, full size hand gun without a holster while enhancing features such as concealability, security, and comfort under the least amount of clothes.

BACKGROUND

For many years and to this present day there have been many ways and different systems for concealing a handgun for personal protection. Options currently include: holsters outside the waistband under an over coat, under the arm shoulder holsters, inside the waist band holsters, and the list goes on. With many of these systems the object is to not have your gun “print,” or to show through your clothes so no one knows you are carrying a gun. At the present time the number one choice to carry a concealed handgun is in a holster inside the waist band, referred to herein as “IWB”. With IWB holsters comes bulk, discomfort, and the possibility of purchasing additional pants with a larger waist size to accommodate the holster, not to mention adding even more thickness to your gun, which in turn will make it “print” more. As a result, many people will carry a smaller gun. The vast majority of these IWB holsters do not have any means of securing the gun. Others will have some sort of lock or strap, or other device for further securing the weapon. An IWB is not intended for a fast withdrawal from the holster when the gun is needed in a life and death situation. Most of today's IWB holsters have a tension grip on the hand gun to keep it from falling out of the holster, but no means of preventing an unauthorized use of your hand gun. IWB holsters are limited to either one angle for holstering the weapon, or they are very limited as to the adjustability for individual needs, and each IWB holster is specific to a particular hand gun, i.e., they are not universal.

SUMMARY

Generally, the invention provides a device for carrying a handgun in a concealed manner. The device includes a stabilizer key capable of being secured to and/or otherwise carried on the handgun as an integrated or separate unit, and a clip capable of being secured to apparel of a user. The clip includes a receiver for releasably engaging the stabilizer key, and allowing the stabilizer key to slide into and out of the receiver of the clip for insertion and withdrawal of the handgun. The device can include other features and options, such as summarized below.

A lock is provided and is movable between locked and unlocked positions for locking the stabilizer key in the receiver in the locked position and allowing withdrawal of the stabilizer key from the receiver in the unlocked position. A magnet is secured to the clip for providing further securement of the handgun to the clip when the stabilizer key is engaged with the receiver. The stabilizer key further comprises a raised rail element and the receiver further comprises an elongate slot. It will be appreciated that the receiver and stabilizer key may take many other forms instead. The elongate slot or other receiver is contained in an adjustable element that allows an orientation of the elongate slot or receiver to be angularly adjusted to adjust the angular orientation of the handgun when the raised rail element is contained in the elongate slot. The stabilizer key and therefore the handgun are capable of being locked in the adjusted angular orientation. The clip further comprises a U-shaped element capable of being clipped over a waistband and/or belt of a user. The U-shaped element further includes a curved slot. A fastening element couples the receiver to the curved slot allowing the angular orientation of the elongate slot to be adjusted relative to the U-shaped element for adjusting an angular orientation of the handgun as mentioned above.

The invention further provides a method for carrying a handgun in a concealed manner. The method includes securing a clip to apparel of a user, the clip including a receiver for releasably engaging a stabilizer key on a handgun. The stabilizer key is slid into the receiver of the clip to releasably secure the handgun on the apparel of the user. The method can include further features and/or steps as options such as summarized below.

The method further comprises locking the stabilizer key in the receiver with a locking element, and moving the locking element to an unlocked position to allow withdrawal of the stabilizer key from the receiver. The handgun is secured to the clip with a magnet when the stabilizer key is engaged with the receiver. The stabilizer key further comprises a raised rail element and the receiver further comprises an elongate slot, and the method further comprises inserting the raised rail element into the elongate slot. An angular orientation of the elongate slot is changed or adjusted to change the angular orientation of the handgun when the raised rail element is contained in the elongate slot. The receiver is locked in the adjusted angular orientation. The clip further comprises a U-shaped element and the method further comprises clipping the U-shaped element over a waistband and/or belt of a user. The U-shaped element further includes a curved slot, and a fastening element couples the receiver to the curved slot. The method further comprises adjusting an angular orientation of the elongate slot relative to the U-shaped element for adjusting an angular orientation of the handgun.

Various additional advantages and features will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view showing all components/hardware, along with receiver/rail relationship to each other in accordance with one embodiment of the device.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating connection of the raised rail into the receiver.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating connection of an alternative embodiment of a raised rail into the receiver.

FIG. 2 depicts all components/hardware in exploded view, along with the receiver and the alternative embodiment of the raised rail.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views showing an embodiment of a receiver, magnet, clip, and lock portion of the device from an inside, or rear view.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views showing an embodiment of a receiver, magnet, and clip portion of the device from an inside, or rear view and without a lock portion installed.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views showing an embodiment including the receiver, magnet, clip, and a lock portion from an outside, or front view.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views showing the receiver, magnet, and clip portion of the device from an outside, or front view without a lock portion installed.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views showing the receiver, clip, and lock portion of the device from an inside, or rear view without any magnet.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views showing the receiver and clip portion of the device from an inside, or rear view without any lock or magnet.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views showing the receiver, clip and lock portion from an outside, or front view.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views showing the receiver and clip portions of the device from an outside, or front view without the lock portion.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the stabilizer key portion of the device separate, and attached to a firearm in the form of a handgun.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative raised rail portion of a device both separated from, and attached to a firearm in the form of a handgun.

FIG. 13 shows the device in working form attached to apparel in the form of the waistband of a pair of pants and a belt, with the firearm at an extreme angle.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a handgun with an alternative embodiment of a raised rail.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view illustrating insertion of a raised rail or key element into a receiver of the device.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a clip having a receiver, and being angularly adjustable to adjust the angle of a firearm as desired by a user.

FIG. 16 is an assembled perspective view of the clip and receiver of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 17-17 of FIG. 16 but also showing the raised rail.

FIG. 18A is an elevational view of the clip and receiver of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18B is an elevational view similar to FIG. 18A, but with a slotted portion of the receiver removed for clarity and showing angular adjustment with respect to the clip portion of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a first embodiment of the device 1. In FIG. 1A, the device 1 is comprised of a stabilizer key 40 in the form of an elongate rail. In this embodiment, the elongate rail 40 comprises an assembly of two outer pieces 40 a, 40 c and an inner piece 40 b secured together by, for example, threaded fasteners 90. The rail 40 is secured to the side of the firearm 2, such as a handgun, by any convenience or desired manner, e.g., adhesive. Alternatively, the stabilizer key 40 may be integrally formed with the firearm 2. The stabilizer key 40 may take other forms, such as raised elements of other shapes. The device 1 is further comprised of a receiver 10, a U-shaped clip 20, and a lock 30. The lock 30 aligns with the elongate slot portion 10 a in the receiver 10 and is secured by threaded fasteners 80 and nuts 70 to a curved slot 20 a in the U-shaped clip 20. This will be described further below.

FIG. 1B illustrates how the stabilizer key 40 or elongate rail in this embodiment slides into the elongate slot 10 a of the receiver 10. As shown in FIG. 13, the U-shaped clip 20 fits over the waistband and/or belt 22 of a user and the handgun 2 may then be secured to the outer side of the U-shaped clip 20 by sliding the elongate rail 40 into the elongate slot 10 a of the receiver 10. The lock 30 is used to optionally further secure the end of the rail 40 and thereby prevent inadvertent withdrawal or removal of the handgun 2. In this regard, a tab 30 a of the lock engages the end of the rail 40. To remove the handgun 2, the user lifts up slightly on the outer end portion 30 b or bent portion of the lock 30 to release the rail 40 and allow the rail 40 to be slid out of the elongate slot 10 a. For this purpose, the lock 30 is resilient and springs back to its original locked position.

FIGS. 2 and 2A illustrate another embodiment in which an elongate rail 50 is a single integral element again adhered to the outside of the handgun 2 by any desired manner, such as using any suitable adhesive. It may instead comprise an element integral with the firearm 2. This embodiment further includes a magnet 60 that is retained between the receiver 10 and the lock 30 and held in place by the lock 30 as best shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The rail 50 may be formed from magnetic material, such as carbon steel, and the magnet 60 is a strong permanent magnet (e.g., neodymium) such that the magnetic force will hold the rail 50 within the elongate slot 10 a without the need for a mechanical lock system.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are similar to FIGS. 3A and 3B, but illustrate the device 1 without the lock 30. In this case, the magnet 60 may be secured in any desired manner.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are rear views illustrating the assembly of the lock 30, the magnet 60, and the receiver 10, together with the U-shaped clip 20.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are similar views to FIGS. 5A and 5B, but illustrate the assembly without the lock 30 and, for example, the magnet 60 secured to the receiver 10 in any other desired manner.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the assembly as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B without the magnet 60, but including the lock 30 secured with fasteners 80.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are similar to FIGS. 7A and 7B, but illustrate the device 1 without the lock 30 and without the magnet 60. It will be appreciated that in various designs or embodiments, the elongate slot 10 a itself may hold the elongate raised rail 40, 50 or other key in place in any suitable manner, such as by way of a friction fit.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are similar to FIGS. 8A and 8B, but illustrate a rear view of the device 1, including the lock 30 secured by fasteners 70, 80 to the curved slot 20 a.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are respective rear views of the device 1, without any lock 30 secured in place and without any magnet 60, but with only the receiver 10 secured to the U-shaped clip 20 by way of threaded fasteners 70, 80 received in the curved slot 20 a. It will be appreciated that when these fasteners 70, 80 are tightened, the receiver 10 will be locked at a desired angular orientation, such as the orientation shown. The range of adjustment angles may vary, such as from about 20° to horizontal to about 90° to horizontal. This sets the angular orientation of the handgun 2 as desired by the user, depending on their preferences for that angle, as well as preferences for the location at which the U-shaped clip 20 will be secured to the apparel of the user.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are respective views illustrating the two embodiments of the elongate rail 50, 40 secured to the side of the handgun 2. As mentioned previously, FIG. 13 illustrates the handgun 2 secured to the device 1 from a perspective inside the waistband 20 of a pair of pants.

FIGS. 14 and 14A illustrate another possible embodiment for an elongate, raised rail 100 secured to the side of a handgun 2 and insertion of the rail 100 within a receiver 110 comprising an elongate hole 110 a.

FIGS. 15 through 18 illustrate another embodiment of the invention comprising a receiver 10 that engages a rail 40 (FIG. 17). The receiver 10 again is a plate assembled to align a slot 10 a with a curved slot 20 a in a U-shaped clip 20′, and the device 1′ further includes an elongate plate 120 aligned with the slot 10 a for essentially allowing the rail 40 to be slid between the receiver plate 10 and the elongate plate 120 with a snug fit as the rail 40 slides into the elongate slot 10 a, as best shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. The receiver plate 10 is fastened to the elongate plate 120 and the clip 20′ by a pair of threaded fasteners 130, nuts 140 and washers 150 such that the receiver plate 10 and the attached elongate plate 120 may be oriented as desired along with curved slot 20 a as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B. The various components of the device 1′ may be formed from any material or combinations of materials, such as metal(s) and/or nonmetals (e.g., polymers). As previously mentioned, the angular orientation will determine the angular orientation of the handgun 2 (FIG. 1) that is engaged with the receiver plate 10 and elongate plate 120 as the rail 40 slides into the slot 10 a. The orientation of the receiver plate 10 and elongate plate 120 is locked by tightening the fasteners 130 at the desired location along the curved slot 20 a.

Devices made with accordance with the various aspects described herein may be secured to any type of apparel worn by a user, such as pants and/or belts of any suitable design. The device is also ambidextrous and may even be positioned at any point along the user's waist, including the left, the right, or the front or rear. By utilizing the angular orientation that is most extreme, e.g., approximately 20° from horizontal, the user can make the firearm appear smaller, and produce a better angle from which to draw the firearm. Of course, the same benefits are realized for smaller firearms as well. With a lock, as disclosed herein for example, or using other manners of firmly securing the stabilizer key, the firearm will be secure within the device but still easily drawn. The device may be used inside or outside the waistband, and alternatively may be clipped onto any vertical belt as in backpacks or other shoulder-type straps. The device allows the user to withdraw their firearm in one swift move, reaching for the firearm and withdrawing in the same desired direction. Many other systems require the user to unlock in one direction and then proceed to withdraw the firearm in another direction. As mentioned above, the various components of the device may be formed of any desired materials or combinations of materials. Some examples include polypropylene, Kydex® (acrylic PVC), PVC, acrylic or other polymers, and various types of metals, such as steel, stainless steel, titanium, cold rolled steel, hot rolled steel, etc. One manner of wearing the device will position the receiver inside the waistband of the user's pants with a portion of the clip extending over the upper edge of the user's pants and engaging with the user's belt. Another manner will position the receiver outside the user's pants. In essence, the clip will contain the upper edge of the pants and belt.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of specific embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. The various features discussed herein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope or spirit of the general inventive concept. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for carrying a handgun in a concealed manner, comprising: a stabilizer key capable of being secured to and/or carried on the handgun, a clip capable of being secured to apparel of a user, the clip including a receiver for releasably engaging the stabilizer key, and allowing the stabilizer key to slide into and out of the receiver of the clip for insertion and withdrawal of the handgun.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a lock movable between locked and unlocked position for locking the stabilizer key in the receiver in the locked position and allowing withdrawal of the stabilizer key from the receiver in the unlocked position.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a magnet secured to the clip for providing further securement of the handgun to the clip when the stabilizer key is engaged with the receiver.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the stabilizer key further comprises a raised rail element and the receiver further comprises an elongate slot.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the elongate slot is contained in an adjustable element that allows an orientation of the elongate slot to be angularly adjusted to change the angular orientation of the handgun when the raised rail element is contained in the elongate slot.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein an angular orientation between the stabilizer key and the receiver is adjustable, and capable of being locked in an adjusted angular orientation.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the clip further comprises a U-shaped element capable of being clipped over a waistband and/or belt of a user.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the U-shaped element further includes a curved slot, and the receiver further comprises an elongate slot for engaging the stabilizer key in a sliding manner, and a fastening element coupling the receiver to the curved slot allowing an angular orientation of the elongate slot to be adjusted relative to the U-shaped element for adjusting an angular orientation of the handgun.
 9. A method for carrying a handgun in a concealed manner, comprising: securing a clip to apparel of a user, the clip including a receiver for releasably engaging a stabilizer key on a handgun, and sliding the stabilizer key into the receiver of the clip to releasably secure the handgun on the apparel of the user.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: locking the stabilizer key in the receiver with a locking element, and moving the locking element to an unlocked position to allow withdrawal of the stabilizer key from the receiver.
 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising: securing the handgun to the clip with a magnet when the stabilizer key is engaged with the receiver.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the stabilizer key further comprises a raised rail element and the receiver further comprises an elongate slot, and the method further comprising inserting the raised rail element into the elongate slot.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising adjusting an angular orientation of the elongate slot to change the angular orientation of the handgun when the raised rail element is contained in the elongate slot.
 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising changing an angular orientation between the stabilizer key and the receiver and locking the receiver in the adjusted angular orientation.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the clip further comprises a U-shaped element and the method further comprises clipping the U-shaped element over a waistband and/or belt of a user.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the U-shaped element further includes a curved slot, and the receiver further comprises an elongate slot for engaging the stabilizer key in a sliding manner, and a fastening element coupling the receiver to the curved slot, and the method further comprises adjusting an angular orientation of the elongate slot relative to the U-shaped element for adjusting an angular orientation of the handgun. 